Have you ever worked in a restaurant? Are you an owner or a manager? If so, then you know how important it is to make sure your customers have a good experience. Maintaining a positive reputation is key to success in the restaurant business, and that means avoiding common mistakes that can ruin a dining experience.
To stay on the good side of your customers (and avoid getting bad reviews), here are some things to avoid doing at a restaurant:
- Serving the wrong dish
This is a classic mistake that can ruin a dining experience. Be sure to double-check orders before sending them out to avoid serving the wrong thing. If you do make a mistake, apologize and offer to correct it ASAP. This way, your customer will know you’re taking measures to fix the situation.
- Skimping on portions
Customers hate feeling short-changed, so don’t skimp on portions. If a dish is supposed to come with a certain number of items (like fries or salad), make sure it does. No one wants to be left feeling hungry after a meal. So, give your customers their money’s worth and they’ll be more likely to come back.
- Not cleaning up
A messy restaurant is a big turnoff for customers. Make sure your place is clean, both in the dining area and in the kitchen. This includes wiping down tables, sweeping floors, and taking out the trash. A clean restaurant will make diners feel more comfortable and give them a better overall experience.
- Serving expired or old food
No one wants to eat food that’s past its expiration date. Not only is it gross, but it can also make people sick. Be sure to check the expiration dates on all of your food before serving it, and toss anything that’s even a day past its prime. Your customers will thank you for it.
- Making guests wait
No one likes to wait, especially when they’re hungry. So, do your best to avoid making guests wait for their food. This means being efficient in the kitchen and having enough staff on hand to keep things running smoothly. If there is a wait, let diners know up front and apologize for the delay. Thank them for their patience and offer them a complimentary drink or appetizer to make up for it.
- Not having a good selection
Your menu should have something for everyone. This means having a good mix of dishes, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Otherwise, you risk alienating potential customers who may not find anything they can eat. So, make sure your menu is diverse and inclusive to attract a wider range of diners.
- Leaving equipment and other machines on
Leaving commercial equipment and other machines on can not only be a fire hazard but can also disrupt the dining experience. Be sure to turn off all lights, fans, and other machines when they’re not in use. This will create a more pleasant environment for customers and help you avoid any accidents.
- Not handling complaints well
It’s inevitable that you’ll have some unhappy customers from time to time. But it’s how you handle complaints that really matters. Be sure to listen to the customer and try to resolve the issue to their satisfaction. This way, you can turn a negative experience into a positive one and hopefully keep the customer coming back.
- Not cleaning and maintaining equipment
This one goes hand-in-hand with not cleaning up the restaurant. Not only is it important to keep the dining area clean, but the kitchen as well. This means regularly cleaning and maintaining all commercial equipment, like ovens, ranges, fryers, and refrigerators. All kitchen equipment must be regularly checked or repaired for health and safety reasons. Plus, it will help your staff work more efficiently.
- Not training staff properly
If you want your restaurant to run smoothly, it’s important to train your staff properly. This means teaching them how to handle customer complaints, use commercial equipment safely, and keep the dining area clean. Well-trained staff will be able to provide a better experience for customers, which could lead to more repeat business.
By following these tips, you can avoid common restaurant mistakes and make the most of your dining experience. Remember, it’s important to be polite and respectful when dining out-after all, the staff are working hard to make your experience a good one!